REGION’S BEST — Fairmont High School activities director Mat Mahoney confirms a number of athletic events scheduled for the second week of April and double-checks transportation and officials working at those activities from his office in Fairmont. Mahoney will be honored as the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association’s Region 2A Activities Director of the Year tonight at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. (Photo by Charlie Sorrells)

FAIRMONT — The giant whiteboard hanging on the wall of his office is filled with upcoming athletic and academic events, transportation reminders, and names of officials working on-site.

The computer screen glows as his fingers rapidly tap the keyboard to answer an e-mail and clicks the mouse to confirm before his cell phone rings.

“Hello! … Let me check. … Yep, Friday the 19th is a ‘go.'”

Just another day of multi-tasking for Fairmont High School activities director Mat Mahoney.

Mahoney’s dedication, hard work and long hours, however, have not gone unnoticed as he will receive the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association’s Region 2A Activities Director of the Year award at 6 p.m. tonight at the organization’s banquet at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

“Just to be considered for this award is quite an honor, let alone to receive it. I’m grateful to be nominated for it,” said Mahoney. “It’s an award that’s voted on by your peers, so to represent Region 2 is a humbling experience.”

Mahoney is currently in his 13th year as Fairmont’s AD, but just his second year in a full-time capacity.

“I taught some classes in physical education and health during my first years, so it’s nice to be able to focus 100 percent on organizing the activities department.

“In order to be successful in education as a whole, you definitely have to be ‘all in.'”

While Mahoney has dealt with a wide assortment of dilemmas during his tenure as AD, he believes the toughest aspect of the job are “the unknowns.”

“Through the years, I’ve learned that you have to be a good on-the-job problem-solver and there’s nothing quite like dealing with Minnesota weather, which can change quickly from hour-to-hour,” said Mahoney. “The weather, in turn, creates readjusting bussing schedules and getting officials for events, and sometimes you have to find alternate solutions.”

While Mahoney will receive the MIAAA’s annual regional award tonight, he gives a lot of credit to administrative assistant Jane Gustafson and Fairmont’s director of building and grounds maintenance Tyler Garrison.

“I was so fortunate to have Jane in place when I started the job. She worked with former ADs Jim Simser and Randy Soma, and knew the expectations of the job,” said Mahoney. “She put me on the right path, and is an unsung hero in our department.”

While Jane Gustafson keeps Mahoney on task from an administrative perspective, Garrison and his custodial staff keep the high school facilities looking in tip-top shape.

“Obviously, Tyler and his staff do an incredible job of getting the football field ready when I’m coaching my labor of love in the fall, but they do a great job of making our entire campus look immaculate.”

Of course, Mahoney also gives kudos to the school’s administration, the teachers and the school district’s parents and supporters for his successful tenure.

“Our administration’s No. 1 focus is on academics, but athletics and extra-curricular activities run a close second,” said Mahoney. “From my standpoint, I see a lot of passion in both our school and community in wanting to give our students what they need to be productive in life.”